GREAT IDEAS TO FIGHT POLLUTION

 

Technological progress is the application of scientific discoveries to production processes. Progress means that production costs are brought down or that new markets are born. Indeed, it is precisely the entrepreneurs who seek to invest in scientific research through an innovative spirit.

Technological progress has contributed to the improvement of living conditions, increasing their duration.

However, this kind of progress has not reached every place in the world, since the so-called ‘third world’ is still behind on this front.   

Another substantial issue related to technological progress is one of its consequences, that is environmental pollution. Due to the use of non-renewable resources, alternative ways are now being sought to reduce this problem. Below are a few different actions which can help our planet in the battle for its survival.

 

Paint that fights pollution

 

Paints are a source of air pollution as they contain chemicals that evaporate easily (including formaldehyde and benzene). Two different uses have been studied to try to make paints sustainable: 

1.    Paints that produce energy: An Australian team has discovered that it is possible to produce hydrogen using sunlight and humidity in the air. So, according to scientists, this paint is capable of breaking down the elements of the water molecule just exposed to the sun to produce electricity. 

This type of solar paint is already in use in the United States. Through graphene, which gives a high thermal conduction capacity, it is possible to keep the temperature of the surface on which the paint has been applied constant, avoiding a waste of energy.

2.    CO2 capture paint: This paint is made from concrete that is capable of absorbing up to 20% of its own weight. This happens thanks to the chemical process of carbonation, through which the paint is able to absorb the surrounding CO2. This paint is called Celour.

 

 

 Above the first mural made with this kind of paint.

 

Green newspaper

 

 

The Mainichi project will definitely turn to this direction: it is a newspaper, made with a particular oil card that, after planted, can give life to  a splendid plant.

 The newspaper in question is called "Green Newspaper" and was invented by the publisher of the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi Shimbunsha.

 The idea of the "nursery to read" came to the Japanese publishing house The Mainichi Newspapers Co. Ltd who launched this new journalistic-environmental seed in the press market with the head The Mainichi (the name means daily, on the agenda , corresponds to the English "Every day") which has millions of copies per day of edition. The green newspaper was born with this intent,  that is, to contribute to awareness regarding environmental sustainability.

 A newspaper that bears fruit. Literally. Not only because it aims at its main objective, namely that of informing, in the most correct way possible. But it also does so by thinking about the life of his readers and the environment that surrounds them, and educating on virtuous behavior. After reading, in fact, the newspaper instead of ending up in the waste bin, can be planted and flourishing.

 The goal is double: to decrease the amount of waste on the one hand and make the cities of Japan even more green, with so much more nature not only inside the house but also outside the courtyards, in the flower beds, in the urban gardens.

The initiative has already achieved Japanese schools with the hope of teaching even the children the importance of recycling and respect for the environment.

 How does it work?

 The process that leads to transforming the pages into plants to be watering is simple but brilliant. The basic paper, obviously recycled without the use of toxic solvents, and seeds of the most disparate flowers are added. The pulp thus obtained is subsequently worked with the ink used to print the items that are rigorously based on vegetable. So the mixture is pressed to make it paper.

 Thus, after getting informed about the events of the day, the newspaper will not be thrown away but will be ready for a new life. It can be planted entirely perhaps in a flowerbed but  also diminishing it in the earth in several pots and jars. A few days and the first shoots will arrive.

 

                                Alessia, 5scB